Favourites Chelsea and Manchester United were both handed home ties in the draw for the FA Cup fifth round.

Champions Chelsea will host either Blackpool or Norwich, while United will face Premiership rivals Reading.

Two other all-Premiership matches came out of the hat, with Spurs away to Fulham and Blackburn travelling to the winners of the Arsenal-Bolton replay.

Preston will host neighbours Manchester City, with matches due to take place on the weekend of 17 and 18 of February.


And North End boss Paul Simpson, whose side overcame Championship rivals Crystal Palace in the last round, was relishing a tie against one of his old clubs.

"It's a fantastic draw for us," he said. "I have wonderful memories of my time at City and we hope we'll get a full house at Deepdale for it. It's a great day to look forward to.

"It will be a very tough game. But to be at home gives us a really good opportunity, if we carry on with our home form, to continue to the next round."

One Championship side is guaranteed to reach the last eight, after Plymouth were drawn at home to Derby.


5th Round Line-Up:

Chelsea v Blackpool or Norwich
Watford v Ipswich
Preston v Man City
Plymouth v Derby County
Man Utd v Reading
Arsenal or Bolton v Blackburn
Bristol City or Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Tottenham

Cheers’
Jamaican Steve